My name is Ed Sallee and I’ve been woodworking since 1992….. I realize this is my first post in these forums, I don’t really get in to the forums very much, and ran across these forums during my google searches for help with a project I have initiated and have found myself looking for volunteers anywhere I can find them.

Back in 2002, I was involved in a program that provided burial flag display cases for any family member that requested one as a result of the 9/11 tragedy. The program was called Woodworkers United for America and my involvement was such that I had an opportunity to provide logistical support from the many individual woodworkers, clubs, high school shop classes, etc… and get the flag cases to NY. Also, I had the honor of building a flag case for Captain Victor Saracini, the pilot of UAL 175 – the 2nd plane to hit the WTC.

With that thought in mind….. It seems that I have been getting a significant amount of requests for flag cases… This, to me, is something that I really have a hard time charging anybody for a flag case – as in a very real sense, they’ve already been paid for. I’ve not charged for any of the flag cases that I’ve built.

Which brings me to the point of this post….. I have initiated a program called Freedom Flag Cases to give family members a place to log in and get on “the list” for a MADE IN THE USA, hand crafted burial flag display case. Also, within the website, there is a place for woodworkers to volunteer a flag case build or two, or more.

So many of the display cases that are available to family members in the obvious places are not even made in this country, or, purely a marketing venture, which is sad in and of itself.

How many woodworkers are out there looking for a project to work on? Here is a great, worth while opportunity.

I have emailed several woodworking groups and have obtained a modest pool of volunteers, however…. it seems that the word is getting out among the military widows and family members and the requests are outnumbering the amount of volunteers…..

So, if you feel this to be a worthy project, and are up to volunteering your craft…. please visit the website, _www.freedomflagcases.com and sign up…. I have plenty of requests to go around…..

I was asked to make a rectangular flag box with a triangular divider in it and a glass or Plexi top. The customer brought me one that they had purchased, on line, to copy. They did not like the quality of it and I agree with them. It had a thin flexible plastic inset into the top. (I was wavy!) I made one for them and charged them $40. Then they told me that they had paid $50 for the first one. They then bought about $60 worth of other things I had made.
My point is: There is some lousy crap out there!

I signed up for this and already have 5 fallen veterans to build flag cases for. There is obviously a need. Let’s help fill it. Most of you are probably like me and have all of the materials for these just sitting around. The biggest expense will be shipping the cases out, but as waxingmoon put it, that price has already been paid.